No. Scotland’s men’s national rugby team has never beaten New Zealand in a full international Test match. The closest result came in 1983, when the sides drew 25–25 at Murrayfield.
Scotland and New Zealand have played each other in rugby union since 1905, when the All Blacks first toured Britain. Since then, the teams have met thirty-plus times, almost always at Murrayfield — and New Zealand have won every match except one:
- 1983 – Scotland 25–25 New Zealand — the historic draw.
Despite not winning, several games have been competitive and dramatic. Scotland came close in:
- 1990 – Scotland led early, but New Zealand pulled away to win 31–16.
- 2017 – A late break by Stuart Hogg nearly stole the match, but NZ won 22–17.
- 2022 – Scotland surged to a 23–14 lead after half-time, but the All Blacks rallied to win 31–23
- 2025 – Their most recent meeting was on 8 November 2025 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, where Scotland led a dramatic fight-back but still lost 25–17.
The results reflect rugby history: New Zealand has long been a world powerhouse, producing World Cup champions, while Scotland’s success has tended to come in European competition, particularly the Six Nations.
Why is a win so hard to come by?
- New Zealand’s strong rugby culture from youth to the professional level
- Large player base and competitive domestic structure
- Long history of technical skill, pace, and tactical innovation
However, international rugby is changing — and Scotland is improving. Increasing squad depth, a fast attacking style, and a strong home crowd at Murrayfield mean that many fans believe “the first win” is a question of when, not if.
What about Scotland’s women?
Scotland’s women have also faced New Zealand’s Black Ferns, the dominant side in the women’s game.
Scotland has not beaten the Black Ferns either, though the gap has started to narrow as Scotland’s women’s programme has grown stronger and more professional.
